Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an essential unsaturated fatty acid for the human body, a structural material for various tissue biofilms, and a precursor of physiologically active substances such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and arachidonic acid.
Under normal physiological conditions, gamma-linolenic acid is derived from the hepatic biotransformation of linoleic acid.
Resource Development for GLA
The biological resources of GLA mainly include plant resources and microbial resources. GLA in plant resources is mainly distributed in higher plants Willowaceae, Lithaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Saxifragaceae and so on. A typical resource rich in GLA is evening primrose, with a GLA content of 8 percent to 10 percent . In addition, black currant, microporous grass, borage, etc. are also rich in GLA, of which borage seeds have a GLA content of 21 percent to 25 percent . The microbial resources of GLA are mainly microalgae and fungi, including Mortierella, Rhizopus, Cunninghamella, etc., as well as Lanseria and Chlorella.
Application of GLA
The typical product of GLA is evening primrose oil. Its unique pharmacological effect has attracted extensive attention from the medical community at home and abroad, and is used as the main component of hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-ulcer, anti-aging and weight-loss drugs. In 1986, China was the first in the world to use evening primrose capsules as a blood lipid-lowering drug. In 1988, the United Kingdom approved evening primrose oil capsules for atopic eczema, and in 1990, it was approved for the treatment of women with breast cancer.
GLA is known as "the protagonist of functional food in the 21st century". Long-term use can correct lipid metabolism disorders and play a role in fitness, disease prevention, anti-aging, and enhancement of body immunity.
The fatty acids of evening primrose oil are mainly composed of palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and GLA. The content of Gamma Linolenic Acid is generally the highest when the oil phase is acidic.